Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1938. A DRAINAGE QUESTION.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 59, Issue 45, 2 December 1938, Page 4

Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1938. A DRAINAGE QUESTION.

In adopting the resolution requesting the County Council to undertake a survey of lands affected by flooding in the Waterton-Eiffelton district, the farmers concerned took the first step toward remedying a state of affairs that is detrimental to their interests. Of the necessity for action there can be no doubt, as even those who expressed doubt as to the proper method to be adopted emphasised the seriousness of the position. Acceptance of the proposal for a comprehensive survey does not necessarily mean that those present agree to the formation of a special rating area, but it does imply that only very weighty reasons will justify opposition to the formation of the area. The disabilities under which the district is labouring at present entail for the individual landowner a serious loss of income compared with what could be derived from land in such good heart as the affected area would be were it not subject to periodical water-logging. The remedy can be attained only by a comprehensive scheme, framed to deal with the situation as revealed during the last ten years. Such a scheme would more than reimburse the landowner for his contribution to the cost of construction and maintenance. At the same time, as Mr Burnett said, there is a national aspect. Any work that will increase the productivity of such a large area as 70,000 acres must be of benefit to the Dominion as a whole. The Government might therefore be justifiably approached with the object of obtaining a grant from the State. The principle of assistance from public funds has been adopted in circumstances no more deserving of assistance than those under consideration.